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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Michelle's Life Verse

If you've seen "19 Kids and Counting," you've probably noticed that Michelle never raises her voice. Ever. Several of our readers have asked how in the world she stays so calm. After all, raising nineteen well-behaved, godly children is no easy task! When the going gets rough and she needs a bit of encouragement, Michelle remembers her life verse, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV

This verse has helped Michelle through the trials and tribulations of motherhood. It saved her sanity back when she had five children under age five and still encourages her to this day.

Thanks for the question, Jennifer! I'm sure other readers are wondering that as well.

A life verse is sort of like a favorite verse, but a little deeper than that. It's a verse that really speaks to your heart and helps you stay grounded through the good times and bad. Everyone's life verse is different (you can also have more than one). And don't worry if you don't have one--lots of Christian people don't. If you read the Bible faithfully, your life verse(s) will find you.

Hi Michelle, I have only seen a couple of episodes but was really impacted by them and also really impacted by the interview I heard on Moody recently given by you and your husband. I am trying to understand how to be both bold and gentle. I want to know when it is OK to raise your voice and be strong with people. I can think of situations where it would seem wrong to be meek. For example, recently I was in a situation on a hospice floor where we felt the staff was trying to end our friend's life. It was right to "fight" in that situation. Also, I had an alcoholic friend I was trying to help and I knew he had been drinking and had to confront him about it. I think if I had not been a little angry with him he would not have listen. Sometimes it just seems natural to be angry and false not to be. Can you help me understand how we can be firm, brave, bold, and fighters of evil while also being gentle? Are we to be gentle all the time? Maybe I am completely wrong here and you can help me see the truth!

Mine is Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience*, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control"I still have lots of room to grow in these areas. I know it can be done because I can easily see these fruits in Michelle's life! (* Patience is translated as long-suffering in the King James version.)

After a devastating miscarriage in 2009 one night I just open my bible straight to jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you said the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" and since then it's what keeps reminding me the lord has my life layed out I need to follow his plans and trust in him:)

Jennifer,The way that life verse was explained to me was like this: it's a verse from God's Word that, through prayer, you claim and ask God to make the verse, and the teachings of it, conspicuous in your life. In other words, it's sort of like a Scripture-goal.

Lily/Ellie...so true about "your life verse finding you." When the Lord showed me mine, it seemed to jump off the page. Almost like the Lord put the verse in the Bible just for me. My thoughts kept going back to it rather serendipitously.

Mine is "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity (wickedness) have dominion over me." -Psalm 119:133

Thanks for answering. I think the verse that I find most comforting is "Be of good cheer your sins are forgiven" It applies to so many things, having the right perspective when faced with disappointment, remembering God's love for me when I am being too hard on myself and so many other occasions.The verses that I try to imitate change so often. Right now the words I am trying to live out are not from the Bible but are a quote from St Francis which is "Preach the Gospel always, when necessary use words" (I'm paraphrasing)

In 1998 I also had a miscarriage, and after that time the Lord just drew me to Jeremiah 29:11. That is strange to find someone else with a similar scenario. It seemed that the few books I read after that carried that verse as their theme. Now I see it everywhere and even got a plaque of it. I know it is an Old Testament promise to Israel, but I am also His child and He loves and cares for me just as much. Wish I hadn't missed the blog talk last night. Is it archived anywhere?

I have a different situation.I am disabled and live in a community with elderly and disabled friends. With such diversity surrounding me; along with seeing how Others who are not in our situation and how they sometimes will negitively respond, the verse i use is as follows: It doesn't matter what a person looks like on the Outside, It's what is on the Inside that Counts!

Jana is still living at home. She is in the midst of earning her degree through CollegePlus! (http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/college-degrees-for-jana-and-john-david.html), along with several of the other older kids. She and Jill also volunteer regularly with the local fire department and are preparing for an upcoming mission trip to Peru.

This blog is not run by the Duggar family, and unfortunately we do not have the exact answer to your question. Have you read the Duggars' newest book, "A Love That Multiplies?" Towards the end, Michelle shares how and why she has purposed to lower her voice when she means business, instead of yelling and getting angry. No matter what situation we're in, lowering our voice helps us to stay calm and have the right response.

If you would like to get ahold of Michelle, you can try emailing her through the contact page of the Duggars' website (http://duggarfamily.com/content/contact).

My life verse is Psalm 150:4 "Praise Him with the tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute" I love this verse because I play piano and guitar(strings), I dance, and I play flute. I love praising God with all of my gifts from Him!!! Thanks, guys for a great blog!!

My life verse is Zephaniah 3:17. "The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."This verse reminds me that no matter what happens in my life, whether amazing or painful, that I am wonderfuly and ridiculously loved. I can trust a God that loves me this much to work all things to my good. :)

http://thebestbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/2010/04/zephaniah-317.html

And thanks for the time you put into this blog. I like to keep up with the Duggars, as they are an encouragement to me, but I hate to have to filter through all the mainstream media junk to find them. :)

Thanks for sharing which book explains the how and why of controlling your voice. I know I frequently boom and occasionally yell. My two oldest kids crumple when I yell so I really try to save it for danger or pain. I grew up with a yelling parent so this is a struggle when I am tired, stressed, or saying something for the 7th time.

Mine is Psalms 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way in which you should go; I will guide you with My eye" I have always depended on the Lord to direct my path and to show me where He wants me. Whether taking care of my dear parents, spending time in Germany, or serving Him in our local church. I have needed His direction and watch care throughout my life. Shirley Beesmer

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Welcome to the premiere source for factual, encouraging updates on Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting & Counting On). Our site is not maintained by the Duggars, but we (Lily and Ellie) are personal friends of the family.